BASKETBALL legend Andrew Gaze says the time has come for the crisis-torn NBL to shut down and start from scratch, declaring the current model to be “broken”

It was revealed on Tuesday night that Townsville have joined Wollongong in going into voluntary administration.

It will leave only six confirmed teams for next season if the two clubs cannot find the funds to continue.

Gaze, speaking on his SEN Radio show ‘Morning Glory’ on Wednesday morning, said with a heavy heart he now believes for the first time it is time to close the league and relaunch it only when ready.

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“I have never held this view at all throughout this challenging phase of the NBL, but I have reached a position where I think they are better off regrouping and shutting it down,” Gaze said.

“Even if these two teams (Wollongong and Townsville) somehow find a way to get through administration, nothing is going to change significantly to turn around their plight because it is a slow burn.

“So shut it down, regroup and get the right model because the model is broken.”

Gaze, a former Melbourne Tigers legend, said there was no other alternative in his opinion.

“Don’t put Band-Aids over it because the model is broken and there needs to be new ideas and a new thought process on how the competition should be run,” he said.

When I was a kid I dreamed of being like Sam Dunk Mackinnon and play in the NBL. I want my kids to be able to have that dream. #wearethenbl — Brenton Harris (@iambren10) March 10, 2015

“This is death by a thousand cuts, because it is dwindling away and away to a point where now you’ve got two teams in jeopardy, six teams in the competition and another team (Perth) exploring its options elsewhere.

“It is not good.”

His view is not shared by everyone in the Australian basketball community.

Melbourne United co-captain and two-time Olympian Mark Worthington took to social media on Tuesday night to rally fans to save Wollongong and Townsville.

“Another dark day, but I refuse to think there won’t be a league next season. C’mon Townsville and Wollongong support you team,” Worthington tweeted.

“Basketball lovers get behind the NBL. We need this competition in Australia. The Opals are flying the Boomers are on the rise.

“Basketball needs our support now — I don’t want to think of this country without this league. Support your local team. Support the NBL.

‘It’s easy to bag our competition but if you truly are a hoops fan now is the time to support us.”